SEOUL, June 01 (AJP) - South Korea’s leading presidential contenders crisscrossed the country on Sunday in a final bid to rally voters ahead of Tuesday’s election, with both major candidates making strategic forays into regions outside their political comfort zones.
Lee Jae-myung of the liberal Democratic Party spent the day traversing the conservative stronghold of Yeongnam, seeking to peel away support from traditional bastions of right-wing dominance.
Beginning in his hometown of Andong, in North Gyeongsang Province, Lee made stops in Daegu and Ulsan before concluding with a twilight rally at Busan Station Plaza.
Kim Moon-soo of the conservative People Power Party, a former governor of Gyeonggi Province, concentrated his final Sunday push closer to the capital.
Touring the greater Seoul metropolitan area, Kim emphasized his track record in infrastructure and regional development — notably the Great Train Express (GTX), a high-speed commuter rail project aimed at transforming transit across the capital region. His campaign stops included Gwanggyo, Seongnam, Guri, Namyangju, Uijeongbu and key districts in northern Seoul.
Latest polling suggests a surprisingly competitive race, even in conservative strongholds such as the TK region (Daegu and North Gyeongsang) and the PK region (Busan, Ulsan and South Gyeongsang). In some surveys of the PK region, Lee is polling within the margin of error against Kim.
In a symbolic gesture aimed at consolidating conservative support, former President Park Geun-hye — still a revered figure among many in the TK region — made a rare public appearance on Friday at a traditional market in Daegu, urging voters to support Kim.
Meanwhile, Lee Jun-seok of the minor New Reform Party campaigned in Hwaseong, Gyeonggi Province, where he eked out a narrow victory in last year’s general election.
Lee addressed supporters at Dongtan Lake Park in the afternoon, appealing to younger and independent voters in a last-ditch effort. Later in the evening, he appeared at Seoul Station to engage with travelers heading home after the weekend.
The candidates are set to close their official campaigns on Monday with rallies in Seoul.
Lee will hold his final event in Yeouido Park, directly facing the National Assembly building — a site he has framed as emblematic of democratic resistance, recalling the Assembly’s revocation of martial law on December 3.
Kim, for his part, will conclude his campaign at Seoul City Hall Plaza.
reporter
Candice Kim
candicekim1121@ajupress.com
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